FamilyFoundationBlog.com

Looks like the arrogance in D.C. marches on unabated. Never mind three straight statewide defeats only a year after the president carried them, never mind the polls and massive rallies and town hall opposition, and certainly never mind the disinterest from “moderate” Democrats, but the Obama-Pelosi-Reid troika have figured out a way to ram through health care “reform” and, with it, an abortion mandate! That is, taxpayer funding of abortion and requiring insurance companies to offer abortion “coverage.” The plan will be rolled out as early as February 21.

Here’s how it will work: The House will pass the Senate bill. The Senate will then take it back and add in the abortion changes it and the House couldn’t put in originally. The Senate will avoid a filibuster by rerouting it through the budget reconciliation. Then Madam Speaker will attempt to ram it back through the House. But will pro-life Democrats, responsible for the Stupak Amendment prohibiting abortion mandates in the original House bill, go along? They can make the difference. Here’s the story reported earlier this morning by Congressional Quarterly via  StopTheAbortionMandate.com:

PRESIDENT OBAMA PLANNING TO PROPOSE OWN HEALTHCARE BILL, NO MENTION OF ABORTION EXCLUSION

The Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C. is now reporting that the final health care proposal is expected to be released by the White House “as early as Feb. 21″ — this weekend!

Abortion proponents are aggressively assembling a coalition to ram through a health care bill that is fully expected to mandate abortion coverage and government funding of abortion.

With a final version expected out as early as Sunday, it’s clear that abortion advocates know they’re on the verge of having the votes they need to force this bill through in a way that is filibuster-proof:

The most likely way forward is for the House to clear the Senate’s health care bill (HR 3590) and for the Senate to pass a package of changes to it, using the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process. That set of changes would incorporate the deals struck with the House, which would then send the new package to the White House. Obama would first sign the original Senate bill, then the ‘corrections’ package. The last measure signed into law would be the one that dictates the final shape of the overhaul.

You see, the House passed the Stupak language that would save lives and protect taxpayers from funding abortion — but it was completely stripped from the Senate version.

With intense pressure mounting for the House to just roll over and pass the Senate version, millions of lives are at stake!

President Obama has refused to address the issue of abortion — and every indication is that he will keep abortion funding as a centerpiece of his proposal.

And with the immense amount of pressure that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have been applying to pro-life members of their party, we must act NOW!

So, there you have it. With Washington liberals in control it’s: Abortion now. Abortion always. Abortion the first option. Companies must offer it . . .  and we must foot the bill.

It’s not hyberbole to say this afternoon’s Senate vote was historic. The legislation it passed in three identically worded bills – SB 283, SB 311 and SB 417 – guarantees Virginians the right to freely choose their health care options irregardless of federal government mandates. It also asserts a notion long ignored but firmly ingrained in the U.S. Constitution. It also shows, from a political perspective, that there are Democrats who understand the small government movement isn’t limited to “swastika-wearing” thugs as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would have us believe.

The floor debate wasn’t as dramatic as I — and those of us who relish political theater — had hoped. Sure, there were some pointed questions, but judging by the temperment of the questions and their lack of heft, it could have been mistaken for a transportation funding bill. That was an immediate clue the Senate majority knew it had lost more than two defectors from its caucus. If it was only two, there would have been deal making, recesses to sweat them out, arm twisting, all of the above or more.

If there was a surprise, it was in how many Dems defected and who two of them were: Senators Ed Houck (D-17, Spotsylvania) and John Miller (D-1, Newport News). There were rumors about the former last week (acceptable, but believe-it-when-you-see-it) and hope about the latter (no way that’s gonna happen). The third new vote, also rumored late last week, Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20, Martinsville), was a more likely possibility. Although the 23-17 margin was a pleasant shock, I rooted for a showdown 20-20 tie that Lt. Governor Bill Bolling would have broken in the affirmative. That would have been more headline grabbing.

Not that the debate wasn’t sharp. The questions from Senate liberals to the bills’ patrons — Senators Fred Quayle (R-13, Suffolk), SB 283; Steve Martin (R-11, Chesterfield) SB 311; and Jill Vogel (R-27, Winchester), SB 417 — came from Senators Donald McEachin (D-9, Henrico), John Edwards (D-21, Roanoke), and Majority Leader Richard Saslaw (D-37, Springfield), as well as the more moderate Senator Chap Peterson (D-34, Fairfax). But their questions repeatedly missed the point, including questions about contracts, insurance requirements to join athletic clubs, and ex-spouses providing insurance in divorce settlements. Senator Quayle nailed it in his opening remarks when he said, “This bill attempts to reinforce the Constitution of the United States. … The Constitution doesn’t grant rights to anyone. It puts limits on what government can do to us.”

Nothing more needed to be said. This being the Senate, of course, more was. Including this gem from the not-smarting-enough-from-his-November-trip-to-the-shed Senator Creigh Deeds (D-25, Bath), who complained that with the economy and employment in bad shape, the General Assembly should not be “legislating in theory.” A LOL coming from a guy who was shredded primarily because of national issues involving government intervention. Besides, he should know that it’s Washington liberals who have ignored the economy and jobs for an entire year in lieu of health care “reform.” But it’s not theory. The Constitution is the law of the land. Amazing he doesn’t understand that, but his comments today make it clear why his campign was a case study in political disasters, prompting comparisons to other campaigns (”Deeds-like”).

At the beginning of session, not many people gave this legislation a chance of getting out of a Senate committee, much less passing the Senate floor by a wide margin. But it happened thanks to a large coalition comprised of thousands of activists from across Virginia, many of whom have been here several times to lobby their representatives and attend committee hearings.

But this is the General Assembly, after all, and nothing becomes law until it is signed. So vigilence is needed. We will stay on top of this legislation — and encourage all supporters to do the same — until it passes both chambers and is signed into law.

Annotations & Elucidations

The Turkeys Amongst Us

We’ve beaten everyone to the punch with some political leftovers. If you didn’t hear already, Governor Tim Kaine is talking the same way on the way out as he did on the way in — tax increase! That a way to leave a legacy, Excellency! Playing politics to the very end. Oh, well. It is, thankfully, the end.

In National News, the Catholic Bishop of Rhode Island, Thomas Tobin, has reluctantly become the foil to the most famous member of his flock: pro-abortion-on-demand Democrat Congressman Patrick Kennedy, son of the late senator. The congressman has made public private letters written to him by the Bishop explaining why abortion is evil and that his support for it endangers his soul. Leave it to a Kennedy to politicize private religious counseling. Speaking of Catholic Bishops, Real Catholic Blog reports on Richard Viguerie’s concern that the U.S. Bishops, despite directly cutting off ACORN, indirectly may still be funding it. Also, Mitt Romney’s presidential ambitions are sinking as “health care reform” rises in the public consciousness, the AFA calls a temporary cease fire with the Gap, and Republicans in Congress want an investigation into leaked e-mails from the organization the U.N. takes its “climate change” info from. You see, the e-mails admit “the science” is junk.

In Commentary, Chuck Norris chimes in on loss of freedoms, Matt Friedeman writes about a man in a coma for 23 years, who was able to hear but not communicate (so much for the euthanasia argument), and Friedemen discusses one brave clergyman not afraid to take on fellow evangelicals for modern day indulgences (”Prosperity Gospel”). But, today, as the News Stand wishes everyone a fantastic four day break from the serious, it’s all about Michelle Malkin’s “Turkeys of the Year” — a great figurative appetizer to the real deal meal Thursday. Enjoy. 

News:

Kaine doesn’t say no to possibility of a tax increase (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Kaine hints of Virginia tax hikes (Washington Times)

Kaine: New taxes possible (Roanoke Times)

Elections board certifies Virginians’ votes (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Villanueva certified as 21st District winner (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News:

Kennedy abortion debate puts politics, religion back in spotlight (CNN.com)

CCHD Still Funding ACORN? (Real Catholic Blog)

Mass. healthcare undermines Romney’s GOP support  (OneNewsNow.com)

Gap boycott on hold (OneNewsNow.com)

GOP opens probe into climate science e-mails (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

Turkeys of the year (Michelle Malkin/OneNewsNow.com)

Loving Life That Doesn’t Seem Very Alive (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Fighting The Prosperity Gospel (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Thankful for fading freedoms (Chuck Norris/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Obama Approval Index Hits New Low (Elijah Friedeman/The Millenial Perspective, Rightly Concerned Blog)

Annotations & Elucidations 

Close Of Business, October 2009

Another month, another campaign draws toward conclusion. Where does the time go? Where does life go? A sign of the times: Campaign news is light today. Everyone is expecting an anti-climatic GOP blowout. But will it be? What about New Jersey and the special Congressional election in upstate New York? If the Dems pull those out will that blunt any GOP resurgence nationally otherwise gained from a Virginia sweep? If the numbers hold, how many Republican delegates will win? Retirements alone guarantee a large freshman class in January.

About today’s headlines: The Richmond Times-Dispatch gets up close and personal with the LG candidates and the Washington Times already is analyzing where Creigh Deeds went wrong. Why is it always where Creigh Deeds went wrong? Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli have done a lot right. Meanwhile, political soothsayer Dr. Larry Sabato offers his predictions on the election.

Nationally: It’s unfortunate that several pastors in Washington, D.C., are supporting homosexual “marriage” there; the AP reports that, indeed, abortion funding is in the health care “reform” bill; and sociologist Brad Wilcox of U.Va., and The Family Foundation Marriage Commission, caught the AP’s attention with his research that faith helps marriages!

In Commentary, Dr. Thomas Sowell offers part two of his “Dismantling of America” exposition, the first part of which we posted earlier this week, and which drew considerable praise from Rush Limbaugh, among others. Also, a skin care company is using fetal cells in its product; Tim Kaine’s DNC has selected as a finalist in a contest promoting the health care bill a video that desecrates the American flag; and a high ranking Obama administration official reveals her “ultimate expression of self-righteous victimhood.” This is the weekend we move our clocks back and it gets dark earlier. How appropriate.

News:

Candidates for lieutenant governor come with different backgrounds (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Republicans rally supporters in Lynchburg as Election Day nears (Lynchburg News & Advance)

Money, missteps cost Deeds in polls for gubernatorial race (Washington Times)

Deeds makes stop in Roanoke (Roanoke Times)

National News: 

Health care businesses at risk in House overhaul (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Believe it or not . . . abortion funding is in health care bill (OneNewsNow.com) 

Sociologist: Faith benefits marriage and family life (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Pastors unite to support same-sex marriage in D.C. (Washington Post)

Analysis:

So who’s going to win? (Dr. Larry Sabato/Center For Politics)

Commentary:

Dismantling America, Part II(Thomas Sowell/OneNewsNow.com)

Desecrated Flag Video Is Finalist In DNC Contest(Tasha Easterling/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Got Waste? No Surprises There (Jeremy Wiggins/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Skin Care Company Using Fetal Cells In Anti-Wrinkle Cream (Jeremy Wiggins/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Obama Advisor: We’re Just Speaking Truth To Power (Tasha Easterling/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Annotations & Elucidations 

Overdrive And Life

We’re in statewide overdrive, with all three races for statewide office (as expected) going full bore. The week that ended so badly for Democrat gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds got worse over the weekend as he publicly ducked a nationally televised appearance with Republican candidate Bob McDonnell on Fox News Sunday. Moderator Chris Wallace twice noted that Deeds was invited several times and each time refused. This is on top of the debate he ducked last week at Virginia Union University. Additionally, reliably liberal Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist Michael Paul Williams piled on Deeds for not securing former Governor Doug Wilder’s endorsement and wonders how much of the black vote will turn out for him. Ouch!

Meanwhile, Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb is quoted in the first article in the News section. It’s a piece in the Washington Post comparing the candidates’ records on social issues.

Nationally, religion and life issues are in the news. One poll finds a dramatic increase in non-religiously affiliated Americans, while a the Alliance Defense Fund reminds the government to stay out of the pulpit. The pro-life issue is back in the news, as the National Right To Life Committee shows how health care “reform” will lead to rationing. In addition, some pro-lifers are concerned about the administration’s double standard, and the intimidation they feel, after a murder of an pro-life activist in Michigan.

News:

* How They Voted on God, Guns And Gays (Washington Post)

McDonnell: Plan would boost transportation, avoid education cuts (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell hopes to appeal to Va.’s black voters (Washington Times)

Candidates tout successes as Sept. nears end (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Tax fight erupts in Va. governor’s race (Washington Times)

Plans for Va.’s economy long on ideas, not details (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Obama proving to be mixed blessing for Deeds (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds pledges to walk tight fiscal line (Washington Times)

Candidate’s Wife Pans Attacks (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Attorney general race heats up (Charlottesville Daily Progress) 

Landes demands Marrow clarify (Waynesboro News-Virginian)

Fairfax Schools Drop Out Of PTA (Washington Post)

Commentary:

Deeds dropped ball with Wilder (Michael Paul Williams/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Video:

Deeds Ducks McDonnell (again) and Wallace (:46) (Fox News Sunday/YouTube.com)

Who has ever heard of a politician passing up free air time? Chris Wallace can’t figure it out either.

National:

Dramatic increase in Americans declaring no religions (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Getting the gov’t out of the pulpit (OneNewsNow.com)

Fear grows among pro-life activists (OneNewsNow.com)

Funding — a major factor in viable healthcare reform (OneNewsNow.com)

Republican says Dems ignoring health care concerns (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Conservative groups’ Webcasts on health care “reform” have drawn tens of thousands this summer. In light of the president’s address to Congress the other night, FRC Action is offering another one, tonight. Details are below courtesy of an FRC Action alert. You will see many familiar, outstanding names, some of whom help us, such as Bishop Harry Jackson and Matt Staver. Log on and learn the truth about what’s in the bill!

President Obama showed the nation that his plan to reform health care is already on life support. The theme of his speech can be summed in that the details, as the President said, still need to be “ironed out.” Tonight at 8:30 pm ET, FRC Action will have its ironing boards out as our live webcast of “A National Townhall on Health Care Reform” examines the moral, ethical, and financial dangers of President Obama’s health care plan. Join our stellar lineup of Congressional leaders and policy experts as they dissect the dangers inherent in the President’s proposed plan, and we’ll answer your questions on the President’s plan and some alternative approaches.

Guests include:

Tony Perkins, President, FRC Action

Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio)

Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.)

Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.)

Ken Blackwell, former Ohio Secretary of State

Doug Johnson, National Right to Life Committee

Bishop Harry Jackson, Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church

Wesley J. Smith, renowned ethicist

Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel

Mark Kellen, M.D., President, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Kathryn Serkes, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Dr. David Prentice, FRC Senior Fellow for Life Sciences, FRC

David Christensen, Senior Director for Congressional Affairs, FRC

Tom McClusky, Senior Vice President, FRC Action

Go to www.frcaction.org/webcast to register to watch tonight’s event and send us your questions by email for consideration by tonight’s guests.

Annotations & Elucidations

Setting Trends

The News Stand is back after a bit of a late summer break. After all, nothing happens this time of year, anyway, right? So, we’re getting right back into it with a pretty large News Stand. Leading off is an interesting bit of news breaking about the Democrat gubernatorial candidate, Senator Creigh Deeds. Seems back in the day, oh, about 10 years ago, he wrote some of his own thoughts on homosexuals. Uncovered by The Weekly Standard and reported by our friends at Bearing Drift.

But that’s not all. Senator “Not Going To Run A Divisive Campaign” seems to have some out-of-control staff in Hampton Roads. Bearing Drift, again, with the details. Is this negativity a trend?

In fact, we have been e-mailed some pictures of dirty tricks in Buena Vista during the Labor Day Parade and we hope to have them up today.

Bearing Drift also has an update on several House races — let’s not forget the House campaign — with a report on a negative mailer (yes, a trend) and interesting polling numbers on a seat held by a liberal Democrat in a district the GOP carries in statewide races, but which it has not been able to find traction on at the House level. Almost given up on, unexpectedly, it’s back in play. A GOP pickup there would be huge. At the least, the numbers might dictate a reallocation of campaign dollars by state Dems to protect an incumbent, which would hurt their chances in other targeted districts. (By the way, congrats to BD — it’s the first blog to lead off the News Stand.)

Oh, other than that? How about the budget cuts by the DNC Chairman, Governor Tim Kaine? Furloughs and layoffs for state employees and education cuts. Is this what the unions voted for four years ago?

Nationally, actress Patricia Mauceri claims she was fired from her long standing role because of her objection to her character becoming homosexual; the new civil rights movement, education choice, is drawing more attention in dramatic ways (as rights movements usually do); and the Obama administration’s health care “reform” numbers are torn apart by the AP. Commentary features the always great Walter Williams and a thought-provoking piece on self-hate by Lisa Fabrizio. Meanwhile, Michael Barone and Bobby Eberle check up what passes for truth by the POTUS as well as his arrogance. 

News:

Deeds: “No Special Rights for Gays” (BearingDrift.com)

Deeds staff involved in sign defacement in Newport News? (BearingDrift.com)

Kaine: 593 layoffs, up to 15 percent college cuts (The Daily Press)

Kaine announces 593 layoffs, 2 prison closings, furloughs (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Virginia to lay off nearly 600, Kaine says (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

House Update: Amiral tied with Miller in 87th; Comstock, Hugo, Scalley, McConville, Hyland updates (BearingDrift.com)

Mathieson negative at Labor Day — must be desperate (BearingDrift.com)

Deeds campaigns at VUU; Minn.’s Pawlenty helps out McDonnell (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds TV ad pegged to McDonnell’s thesis (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Scrutiny Spreads to ‘03 McDonnell Remarks (Washington Post)

National News:

Soap Actress Says She Was Fired Because of Religious Beliefs (FoxNews.com)

Voucher advocates face up to police (Washington Times)

Opposition to Health-Care Reform Revives Christian Right (Washington Post)

Obama disapproval on health care up to 52 percent (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis:

Be quiet America, Washington knows best (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

The Convenient Fantasies Of President Obama (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

FACT CHECK: Obama uses iffy math on deficit pledge (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

Inflation And Deficits (Walter Williams/GOPUSA.com)

The Limits Of Self-Hate (Lisa Fabrizio/GOPUSA.com)

Obama and The Joker  . . . So Much More than a Poster (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Wonder why Virginia’s senior U.S. senator, Jim Webb, hasn’t scheduled any town hall meetings across the commonwealth for constituents? He doesn’t think we, the people — the voters — can add much to the health care “reform” debate. Nevermind that most people who attend these meetings have read more of the bill than most lawmakers (see John Conyers’ admission, here). In fact, he calls us a bunch of “screamers.”

This is what he told The Daily Press today:

As to why he hasn’t had town hall forums on the issue, he said, “Frankly, I don’t see a lot of views being exchanged. I see a lot of screaming. I see a lot of YouTube moments.”

Now, that’s productive . . . and the pols want to know why the people are so frustrated at the ramming of unwanted legislation down our throats. To his credit, however, the senator wasn’t all praise for President Obama, either.

. . . Webb said he was disappointed with how the health-care debate has shaped up. He said the administration should have put forward its idea and then followed that up with hearings. Because that hasn’t happened, “We have five different versions bubbling up from five different committees.” 

That’s a good point. We wonder, however, who will take Webb’s criticisms better: his constituents or the president?

Annotations & Elucidations

Grades Are Good When Grading Yourself

In the queue today is the governor. According to the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, he’s grading himself on handling the disastrous budget problems, kind of like how some candidates this past spring, during the nominating contests, issued news releases quoting themselves as winning debates. Brilliant.  But isn’t Governor Kaine grading himself on the budget something akin to a guy causing a car wreck taking credit for saving his victim’s life? Just asking.

Also re: the governor: The Washington Post’s look at his unique position during the campaign — “not on the ballot, but on the spot.” Clever word play, but no matter how you phrase it, at least as of now, the campaign is a referendum on Virginia and national Democrats who, again according to the Post, still are running against former President George W. Bush. I thought the Dems were the party of the future. Speaking of blame, the policy party also is trying to make something said by Virginia GOP Chairman Pat Mullins into something it’s not. Where have we heard something similar? Oh, yeah, yesterday.

In our Commentary section, liberal Richard Cohen decries the “hate crimes bill,” with very good sense. The always brilliant Thomas Sowell takes apart socialism and the equally brilliant Walter Williams explains liberty. For his part, David Limbaugh demonstrates that as much as Barack Obama is spending and printing money at our expense (and borrowed Chinese money, too), one thing he can’t afford is the truth on “health care reform” —and most Americans wouldn’t buy (if we had the money) what he’s selling anyway.    

News:

Kaine’s Not on the Ballot, Just on the Spot (Washington Post)

Gov. Kaine touts his handling of Virginia’s budget cuts (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot) 

Democrats in Va. Still Running Against Bush (Washington Post)

McDonnell Awaits Rest Stop Reply (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

State GOP leader’s remarks decried (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Bell Is The Early Favorite In 20th (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

National News:

Dems vow health bill with or without Republicans (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Public passions are rising on health care overhaul (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

The Folly of Hate-Crime Laws (Richard Cohen/Washington Post)

Utopia Versus Freedom(Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Who may Harm Whom? (Walter Williams/GOPUSA.com)

Obama Can’t Afford To Tell The Truth On Health Care (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

Last week we posted a sampling of the feedback Congressional supporters of the socialized medicine legislation experienced at home in their districts and states. Here’s three more, all from a town hall meeting in St. Louis, hosted by the staff of one of the top lightweights in Washington, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri).

In the first one, McCaskill gets a civics 101 lesson, courtesy of one of America’s truely best and brightest. It’s something, clearly, she never learned:

Then, a to-the-point, commonsense question about true equality, a virtue for which liberals so eloquently exclaim that they, and they alone, uphold:

Finally, this meeting was supposed to be an equal representation of pro- and anti- “health care reform” constituents. We report. You decide.

Liberal politicians rarely see the light, but a motivated grassroots certainly can make them feel the heat! We can do the same here in Virginia.